South Korea Has a Big Loneliness Problem and a $322 Million Plan to Fix It

South Korea is experiencing a demographic crisis, according to its government. The country has the lowest birthrate in the world, an aging population, and a considerable loneliness problem that’s even more acute in the capital, Seoul. To address this, the government has launched a plan called “Seoul Without Loneliness,” with a budget of $322 million.

South Korea’s problem. According to the BBC, the Asian country has a fertility rate of 0.7 children per woman, the lowest globally. The rate is even lower in Seoul, home to one-fifth of South Korea’s population, where it drops to 0.5 children per woman. By 2025, one in five people in South Korea will be over 65, and 21.8% of older adults currently live alone.

A study by the Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs found that 3.1% of people aged 19 to 39—about 340,000 individuals—report feeling lonely.

This has contributed to an extreme phenomenon known as Kodokushi, a term that refers to lonely deaths: People who die alone and are found days or weeks later. In 2023 alone, authorities recorded 3,661 such deaths.

Seoul Without Loneliness. The South Korean government announced the initiative in October, describing it as a “comprehensive plan to combat loneliness, social isolation, and reclusion.” The program will provide “systematic and multi-faceted support to prevent loneliness” based on three strategies: “Be Together,” “Connect Together,” and “Communicate Together.” The investment totals 451.3 billion won, or about $322 million.

1. Be together. The first pillar includes a platform called “Knock Knock 24,” which will allow citizens feeling lonely to seek advice via phone, chat, and specialized centers. The government also plans to build more than 100 wellness and longevity centers for older adults and expand initiatives to promote healthier eating for grandparents. For young people, the authorities will launch the “365 Seoul Challenge,” a program that rewards participation in outdoor or group activities.

2. Connect together. The second pillar focuses on identifying isolated families and reconnecting them with their neighbors. Seoul will analyze administrative data and emergency information, such as gas and electricity consumption, to identify individuals or families who may be isolated.

Convenience stores and laundromats frequented by these families will act as contact points to support them. Identified individuals will receive a “Seoul Connection Prescription,” a three-step program that includes outdoor activities, counseling sessions, and community-building initiatives.

3. Communicate together. The third strategy aims to “create open spaces throughout the city, foster empathy regarding these issues through open communication among citizens, and lay the groundwork for effective solutions.” This approach seeks to remove the stigma of loneliness and bring it into public conversations.

The root of the problem. While this program is a step forward, it doesn’t address the root causes. South Korea’s highly competitive work culture and rigid social expectations contribute to its high suicide rate—the highest among OECD countries.

This initiative may help those who are aware of their loneliness and seek support. However, it may have little impact on those who don’t acknowledge or desire help.

Images | Cottonbro Studio

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